Page 2016 - Week 07 - Thursday, 17 June 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
In developing a positive image for Canberra and responding to Canberra bashing, the committee has recommended that an educative approach be taken, especially involving school students. I would like to comment in particular on the success of our own youth parliament earlier this year and the excellent work done by you, Madam Speaker, and members of the secretariat in putting together the youth parliament program, thus effectively promoting our own ACT Legislative Assembly and what we do.
I could have said a lot more today about the committee's report and recommendations. However, I conclude by sincerely thanking everyone who has participated in the committee's process in producing this report. I wish also to thank my fellow committee members, Mr Westende and Mr Lamont, and the former presiding member, Mr De Domenico, for their contributions. Finally, I thank Mr Bill Symington, the secretary of the committee, who has worked hard to enable the committee to present this report today.
MR DE DOMENICO (12.17): First of all, let me thank the three members of the committee for their kind remarks. I will make my remarks very brief. I note that on page 45 of the report there is an extensive description of the committee's deliberations on the Commonwealth Games and the Sydney Olympic bid. I congratulate the Chief Minister and the Government for taking the forward thinking view of supporting the Sydney Olympic bid by being sponsors to the tune of $25,000. There is no doubt that, should Sydney be successful in obtaining the Olympic Games for the year 2000, there will be enormous spin-offs for Canberra and the region.
I also note with great pride and support, I suppose, that the committee did report that Canberra ought to conduct a feasibility study into whether we are capable of attracting the Commonwealth Games here in 2002. As most members would be aware, when Mr Kaine was Chief Minister he kindly appointed me as chairman of the Commonwealth Games 2002 Committee, which I believe is still working very closely in making sure that it gets support from the private sector, and that is important. The private sector has supported that committee from day one and, should the Government take heed of this report and conduct a feasibility study, there is no doubt in my mind, notwithstanding what some elected members of another place might think from time to time, that Canberra has the necessary infrastructure and the ability, the knowledge and the know-how to conduct a very impressive bid for the 2002 Games and would go very close to succeeding.
There is mention in this report of the benefits for Canberra and the region, and I agree with Mr Lamont, from my brief reading of this report, that one thing that comes through is the importance of the region in terms of tourism potential. I note also with interest the intention of Rotary International to hold its international conference here in the ACT. Melbourne has recently held a very successful one; over 20,000 Rotarians from all over the world met in Melbourne, with enormous spin-offs to the Victorian Government and the Victorian taxpayer. There is no doubt in my mind that Canberra has the necessary accommodation, infrastructure and beauty in the region to attract such an eminent group of people. That would be fantastic. I commend Mr Westende and the committee for the work done on this report. I am quite happy to say what a wonderful thing it is to be debating it today.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .